1 Mary Shelley’s FrankensteinIntroduction

2 Author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley18-19 years old when began writing novel; when published Mother: women’s rights activist; died from complications of Mary’s birth Father: Political activist; detached but loving father Parents married 5 months before her birth, even though disagreed with institution of marriage.

3 Married Life Eventually married Percy Shelley, the most famous Romantic poet. Premature birth/death of their first child when she was 17. Not married but pregnant with 2nd child at the time of writing novel When she was 25, her husband drowned in a boating accident.

4 Novel Shelleys take a summer trip to SwitzerlandGroup of friends telling ghost stories prompted writing of the novel Becomes a bloodcurdling thriller that deals with scientific/humanitarian interests.

5 Style Creates an appearance of reality1st person narrative: told from the perspective of characters Uses concrete detail and personal observation Book originally began at Chapter 5

6 Frame Tale A story within a story: 2. Frankenstein’s story1. Walton’s Letters 2. Frankenstein’s story 3. Creature’s story

7 Gothic Elements Romantic themes: emphasis on nature, strong emotional content Juxtaposition of beauty and grotesque Characters trying to play God but only succeed in creating horror. Psychological suspense Abnormal psychology: character fascinated with death and morbidity

8 Gothic Novel Horror: ghosts, trap doors, castles, etc.Brooding unknown terror Nature: primitive, harsh, wild settings for stories Authors: Edgar Allen Poe, Bronte sisters

9 Themes: Children left as orphans Obsession/PassionRime of the Ancient Mariner Social Injustice Alienation/Solitude Dangers of Knowledge Responsibility of Parent to Child Science: Gene Manipulation Bioethics Fetal tissue transplants Cloning Life medically prolonged